Pumpkin Cake Pops

Cake pops are all the rage these days and I enjoyed a yummy one at my friend Tara's baby shower.  It was the perfect size dessert and it hit the spot.  I decided to make some for Nolan's friends at daycare.  I also wanted to make some for my family for Halloween.  My nieces are trick or treating with us this year (so excited to celebrate their first Halloween with them).  After an awesome night on the Cape with my friends, we decided to do a little shopping at Derby Street in Hingham.  We walked into William Sonoma and it was like Christmas.  The Halloween cake pop mix, mold, stand and packaging were 50% off.  I was giddy with excitement.  The best part about the mix is I didn't have to mix it with frosting as most cake pop recipes call for.  The mold made my life easier as well. The next day, I hit up Michaels for the rest of the necessities.  I suggest checking out Bakerella's (the guru of cake pops) website and cookbook.  I will be adding that to my Christmas list.  Warning: These took me over 4 hours to make!  I was lucky to have the day off (due to Sandy) and a toddler who can entertain himself (and loves to watch Dora) to conquer this treat!

Supplies:
2 bags of orange colored candy melts
1 bag of green candy melts
Edible marker (waste of money, it didn't work for me)
Box of William Sonoma pumkin cake pop mix
William Sonoma pumpkin mold
Popsicle sticks
stryofoam
frosting bag
clear bags and ribbon for packaging

For presentation: I bought a spider stand from William Sonoma for Nolan to bring to daycare.  I also wanted to make a stand for my house.  I bought two pieces of styrofoam and glue gunned them together.  I spray painted the pieces and tied a piece of ribbon around them.  I then placed the pieces on a glass stand.  


Step 1: Make the cake pops. Cool them on a wire rack.  I popped them in the fridge for 15 minutes to set.

Step 2: Melt the orange candy melts.  I added a smidge of vegetable oil to make it smoother.

Step 3: Dip the popsicle stick about 1/2 inch into the melts. Stick the stick halfway into the pop.  I put them in a glass cup and colander to set.

Step 4: Dip the cake pop into the melts.  Gently shake the extra glaze off from the pop.  I held it with one hand and tapped the other.  If you tap too hard, the cake pop will break.

Step 5: Place the pops into the styrofoam to set.

Step 6: Melt the green candy melts then place it in a pipping bag.  I made tiny stems on the pumpkins.

Step 7: I was so excited to add jack o' lantern faces....THIS WAS A BUST!  The Wilton edible marker didn't work and after many minutes of frustration...I finally listened to my husband, I decided that they looked cute without the faces.

Step 8: After the pops have set completely, I placed them in bags and tied them with ribbon.

 Nolan thought they were tasty!

Pumpkin Activity Bag

I love having days off from work and spending them with Nolan.  Today was a productive day around the house and running errands.  My husband tells me that I should relax when Nolan naps, but I have too much of my Mom in me and I need to do something.  Nolan is very excited for Halloween this year and he has now changed his nightly reading choices to Halloween themed books.  I decided to make him a felt pumpkin (thank you, Pinterest).  Nolan has been having a lot of fun with Mr. Potato Head as well, so this is my Halloween take on that toy.

All you need: few pieces of felt, velro, glue gun and scissors

Step One:  Cut out two pieces for the pumpkin and a stem.  Glue the pieces together. Glue the stem on one of those pieces. 

Step Two: Cut out a piece for the backpack and flap.  Glue gun the edges of the backpack and lid (Don't glue them shut!)  I then applied a piece of velcro to keep it closed. 

Step Three: Cut out different variations of eyes, noses and lips.  I made a total of sixteen pieces, including a mustache and a pirate patch.

This was a simple activity and I think Nolan will have a blast.  It is very portable for car rides and errands.  Looking forward to seeing his reaction when he wakes up (hopefully not for another hour)!

Pumpkin Painting

 
I was so excited to decorate pumpkins this Halloween with Nolan.  I decided to head over to Pinterest for some ideas.  All you need is a pumpkin, painter's tape and paint.  For my pumpkins, all you need is chalkboard paint and and a liquid chalk pen. 

 Painted Jack O' Lanterns:
Step One: Cover your pumpkin with painter's tape and create a face.  Nolan wanted a happy pumpkin.

Step Two: Take an incisor knife and cut off the access tape, leaving the face.

Step Three: Let your little one paint away.

Step Four: Peel away the tape while it's still wet.  I then coated it with acrylic spray.

 

 Chalkboard Pumpkins:
I also decided to make chalkboard paint pumpkins.  This was super easy.  Paint with the chalkboard paint and let dry.  Use a liquid chalk pen to write a spooky message.